NEMA Urges Congress, State, and Local Governments to “Rebuild the Smart Way” After Hurricane Sandy

In anticipation of Congress acting on the President’s request for $60.4 billion for “response, recovery, and mitigation related to Hurricane Sandy,” the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) today delivered a letter to key members of Congress and a publication explaining how impacted states and localities can use currently available technologies to “Rebuild the Smart Way.”

The letter to Congress urges that recipients of federal funds be required to utilize technologies that will mitigate future power outages and protect lives, homes and businesses.

NEMA President and CEO Evan R. Gaddis said the requirement is designed to “ensure the best bang for the buck with technologies that will improve the resilience of electric infrastructure and ensure continued operation of facilities critical to first responders, communications, health care, transportation, financial systems, water treatment, emergency food and shelter, and other vital services.”

NEMA is the association of electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers, founded in 1926 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Its member companies manufacture a diverse set of products including power transmission and distribution equipment, lighting systems, factory automation and control systems, and medical diagnostic imaging systems. Worldwide annual sales of NEMA-scope products exceed $120 billion.